Flintlock Fowlers.....new book arrived today!!!!!

[Tommy Bruce]

Ok I have to brag a bit, just got this today and what a great book. If you have any interest at all in early fowling pieces this is a must read. I'd have to say I'm most amazed at the lenght of the barrels on the origional guns and the size of the bore. Many of the guns had barrels 50 inches or better and a lot of the "British style" guns had bores larger than 70 caliber and in some cases .80 caliber. Can you imagine carrying a gun that size in the woods? I've noticed two that have a wieght of twenty pounds, one with a bore of .84 cal and some barrels of 60 inches. I still thing it was a bit overpriced but a well added addition to my fledgling library.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Those big guns weren't carried in the woods, they were wild fowling guns that were used to shoot birds sitting on the water.

 

[CrackStock]

Some were mounted in boats in a device that resembled oar locks. These were fired into floating flocks of sitting ducks or other water fowl.

A different time.

CS

 

[musketman]

Those big guns weren't carried in the woods, they were wild fowling guns that were used to shoot birds sitting on the water.

Still, I would want one of those big ol' guns loaded with a roundball when that big, hungry grizzly takes a shine to your hide...

 

[Tommy Bruce]

I sort of thought some of those guns were not carried in the woods, but did note a difference in today's average length of fowler barrel and bore size compared to the origionals. Today most barrel makers don't go past 46" unless it is a custom order and .62 seems to be the most popular. There were a few guns with shorter barrels but most were longer than 46" even the smaller bored guns. I have a Walnut blank and 50" custom .72 cal getz barrel that belonged to a passed away friend. After I do a few guns and get a little better I hope to finish the project he barely started. This book gives me a lot of ideas.

 

yep good book

 

[Leonredbeard]

Musketman,
Even unloaded it could work against old Ephraim. You just wait until the right moment and then ram it down his throat. Then he can choke on it while you make your getaway. Haw Haw! :crackup: :blah:
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

[lmucheer]

Did you happen to see any 4 bore double muzzleloaders in your book ? If you did how long were the ones with English proof marks on the barrels.

lmucheer

 

[Mike Brooks]

Did you happen to see any 4 bore double muzzleloaders in your book ? If you did how long were the ones with English proof marks on the barrels.

lmucheer

I don't think you're going to see a flintlock four bore double, I don't believe they ever existed. You will find the occasional 4 bore pecusion double, of course not in that book since it deals with flintlock fowlers.

 

[benvenuto]

Actually I have a copy of an engraving from the 1680's showing 50 inch barrel fowlers being used to stalk deer (in the open) and shoot driven pheasents. Maybe not the woods, but certainly open country!
they are certainly very nice looking early guns - oval sectioned "fantail" stocks and doglocks I think

 

[Mike Brooks]

I've shot clay birds and pheasants with flint guns that have barrels 48" to 60" long. They do just fine as long as you don't have any close side to side shots that require alot of "swing". Rising pheasants and clays are no problem as long as they don't go hard left or right..

 

[benvenuto]

Hard enough trying to shoot stationary targhets with a 42" barrel Bess!
::
My colleague wants me to have a go shooting clays with his Bess one of these days

 

[musketman]

Hard enough trying to shoot stationary targhets with a 42" barrel Bess!
::
My colleague wants me to have a go shooting clays with his Bess one of these days

The more you shoot, the more you can shoot...

Stay with it... :redthumb: